Florida Commercial Real Estate Loans
Capital for investors who buy, refinance, or build retail, office, industrial, and mixed-use property anywhere in Florida. We size each loan around the project’s cost, value, and income rather than your tax returns, then move quickly: construction pricing from 9.5%, leverage up to 85% of cost, and closings in as few as 10-20 days.
- Ground-up construction, acquisition, bridge, and refinance financing
- Up to 85% loan-to-cost and up to 75% of completed value
- Retail, medical office, industrial, flex, and mixed-use projects
- Underwriting that accounts for wind-load and flood-zone requirements
- LLCs, developers & foreign nationals welcome · all 67 counties
- Describe the propertyLocation, property type, land or purchase price, and total budget.
- Receive a same-day term sheetWe size the loan around cost, value, and expected income.
- Close and get to workYour first draw funds quickly, and later draws follow inspections.
Property types
Commercial properties we finance across Florida
Whether the site is a busy suburban corner or a tight urban infill lot, we evaluate each project on its own economics:
Retail & Shopping Centers
Grocery-anchored strips, neighborhood centers, and pad sites near growing residential communities.Industrial & Flex
Distribution buildings, small-bay flex, and last-mile warehouses close to ports and interstates.Office & Medical Office
Professional suites, outpatient clinics, and specialty medical buildings in established submarkets.Mixed-Use & Multifamily
Ground-floor retail with apartments or offices above, suited to walkable downtown districts.Commercial financing
How a Florida commercial real estate loan works
A commercial real estate loan is secured by property that earns income or houses a business, and lenders judge it mainly by what the asset can produce. That is different from a home mortgage. We review the purchase price or build budget, the likely rents, the location, and the plan, and then we structure funding to match the job. A buyer closing on an occupied center needs a different loan than a developer clearing a vacant lot, so we offer several paths instead of one rigid product.
For new construction, funds are released in stages as inspected work is completed, and you pay interest only on the balance already drawn. We lend up to 85 percent of total project cost, which includes land, hard costs, and soft costs, and up to 75 percent of the building’s projected value on completion. When the building is finished, you can sell it, refinance it into a long-term loan, or use a one-time-close structure that converts automatically. Because Florida adds its own engineering and insurance considerations, we also review wind mitigation and flood documentation early so your schedule is not derailed at appraisal.
| Collateral | The land and the commercial property being purchased, refinanced, or built |
| Loan amount | $100,000 to $100,000,000 |
| Construction leverage | Up to 85% of total cost · up to 75% of completed value |
| Construction structure | Interest-only · pricing from 9.5% · 12-24 month term · draws against inspected work |
| Florida factors | Wind mitigation and flood elevation documentation reviewed where applicable; permitting varies by county |
| Borrower | Individual, LLC, or development entity · foreign nationals eligible |
| Coverage | All 67 counties, coastal and inland |
Loan programs
Florida commercial loan programs
Pick the structure that fits where your property is in its life cycle:
Ground-Up Construction
Interest-only funding for new retail, office, industrial, and mixed-use buildings, released as work is inspected.
Land Plus Construction
Buy the parcel and fund the building together, so you are not arranging separate loans for lot and structure.
Acquisition & Bridge
Short-term capital to secure a property that needs lease-up, repositioning, or renovation before permanent financing.
Refinance & Exit
Take out a construction or bridge loan once the building is complete and leased, including one-time-close options.
Why build commercial in Florida
Why investors choose to construct, not just buy
- Population keeps climbingFlorida counted about 23.4 million residents in 2025, and every new household needs shopping, medical care, jobs, and storage.
- Building can beat buyingNew construction lets you design for modern tenants and lock in a cost basis that may deliver a better yield than purchasing a finished, fully priced asset.
- Many distinct marketsPorts, theme parks, a state capital, a financial corridor, and fast-growing suburbs each create a different commercial niche.
- A lender that knows the stateWind, flood, and permitting realities are priced into our process from the first conversation.
Free tool
Commercial construction budget & yield calculator
Estimate total project cost, loan amount, required equity, and interest carry, then compare your expected net operating income to the all-in cost. The interest estimate assumes the outstanding balance averages about half the loan over the build. Illustrative only.
Your project
Illustrative only; not a commitment to lend. Excludes permits, impact fees, insurance, reserves, and closing costs. Interest rate and NOI are example inputs, not a quote or a forecast.
How we compare
CambridgeHomeLoan vs. typical Florida banks
Community banks and credit unions can offer good terms to existing customers, but approvals often hinge on a long relationship and a slow committee process. Here is how our approach usually differs, with our advantages highlighted.
| Feature | CambridgeHomeLoan | Typical Florida Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifies on | Project cost, value & plan | Relationship plus the project |
| Documentation | Streamlined | Full financials, often deposits |
| Time to close | As fast as 10-20 days | Often 45-90+ days |
| Draw turnaround | Typically 3-5 days | Often 1-2 weeks or longer |
| Coastal & flood-zone sites | Underwritten routinely | Often restricted |
| Exit options | In-house one-time-close | Usually a separate loan |
Bank column is a generic composite of commonly seen terms as of 2026 and does not describe any specific lender.
Top construction markets
12 Florida cities where commercial construction makes sense
Florida is not one market but many. Below is a snapshot of twelve of the state’s most active areas for commercial construction loans, with population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research, home-value data from Zillow, and the employers and shopping centers that shape demand.
Jacksonville
Florida’s most populous city, with roughly 1,017,689 residents in the Census Bureau’s July 2025 estimate and a metro area above 1.8 million. CSX, Fidelity National Financial, FIS, and Florida Blue are all based here, while JAXPORT and the Mayport and Jacksonville naval installations anchor a deep logistics and defense economy. That blend feeds demand for distribution buildings, medical office, and suburban retail around trade areas like St. Johns Town Center. Land costs run well below South Florida, so investors who build from the ground up can often reach a stronger yield on cost than buyers of finished product.
Miami
Miami proper counts about 489,812 people, but the wider Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach metro holds roughly 6.4 million, the largest in the state. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Lennar, and Watsco are headquartered locally, Citadel has moved its base to Brickell, and PortMiami and Miami International Airport keep trade and tourism flowing. Aventura Mall, Dolphin Mall, Brickell City Centre, and the Miami Design District show what well-located retail can earn. Zillow’s typical Miami-Dade home value, near $522,601, keeps a large renter base in place and supports mixed-use and small-bay industrial projects.
Tampa
Tampa has about 413,554 residents and a metro area near 3.4 million, making it the second-largest metro in Florida by a wide margin over Jacksonville. Bloomin’ Brands and TECO Energy call the city home, Raymond James sits across the bay, and MacDill Air Force Base, Port Tampa Bay, and Tampa International Airport add steady employment. Retail draws include International Plaza and Bay Street, WestShore Plaza, and the Water Street Tampa district. Zillow shows a typical Tampa home value near $380,283 as of June 2026, slightly lower than a year earlier, which is why many investors favor income-producing commercial builds.
Orlando
The Orlando metro counts roughly 2.96 million residents, up more than 10 percent since 2020, and the city itself is near 333,888. Darden Restaurants and Lockheed Martin operate major local facilities alongside Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, and Orlando International Airport ranks among the busiest in the country. Shoppers fill The Mall at Millenia and The Florida Mall, while Lake Nona’s Medical City pulls healthcare and life-science tenants. Heavy visitor traffic plus a growing resident base supports hospitality-adjacent retail, flex industrial, and medical office construction.
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale holds about 192,338 residents inside a Broward County of nearly 1.99 million, according to the state’s April 2025 estimates. AutoNation is headquartered here, Port Everglades handles cruise and cargo traffic, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport connects the region to Latin America and the Caribbean. The Galleria and nearby Sawgrass Mills anchor retail. Broward has very few large vacant parcels left, so infill and redevelopment sites can command strong rents, which rewards developers able to close quickly on a tight site.
West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach had about 127,744 residents in 2024 and sits at the center of one of the wealthiest counties in the state. Florida Crystals is based in the city, NextEra Energy operates from nearby Juno Beach, and Elliott Management relocated its headquarters here, reflecting the financial-sector migration into Palm Beach County. Rosemary Square, The Gardens Mall, and Palm Beach Outlets anchor retail, and Zillow pegs the typical home value in the Town of Palm Beach above $2 million. Affluent tenants and customers favor boutique office, medical, and mixed-use buildings.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg counts about 264,033 residents and sits on a largely built-out peninsula, which limits new commercial supply. Raymond James Financial and Jabil are headquartered here, and a revitalized downtown, the Innovation District, and Tyrone Square Mall and Sundial St. Pete shape the retail picture. When land is scarce and employers keep growing, a well-located new office, medical, or mixed-use building tends to lease quickly, making St. Pete attractive for investors willing to handle more complex urban entitlements.
Sarasota
The North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota metro counts roughly 948,000 residents and grew about 13.7 percent between 2020 and 2025. Roper Technologies is headquartered in Sarasota, Sarasota Memorial Hospital anchors a large healthcare sector, and Lakewood Ranch keeps adding rooftops that need retail and services. University Town Center and St. Armands Circle represent the two ends of the retail spectrum, from regional mall to boutique shopping. Fast household growth on the Gulf Coast rewards investors who build medical office, neighborhood retail, and self-storage near new communities.
Naples
Collier County’s typical home value stands near $555,973 on Zillow, well above Florida’s statewide figure of about $375,470 as of August 2026, a sign of the wealth concentrated in Naples. Waterside Shops, Mercato, and Coastland Center anchor local retail, NCH Healthcare System is a major employer, and seasonal residents swell demand every winter. High household incomes support premium retail, private medical practices, and professional office space, although strict local zoning and high land costs mean projects need careful budgeting.
Cape Coral–Fort Myers
Cape Coral ranks as Florida’s seventh-largest city with about 236,264 residents, and the Cape Coral–Fort Myers metro, near 839,000, grew roughly 10 percent since 2020. Gulf Coast Town Center, Bell Tower Shops, and Edison Mall serve a fast-growing customer base, Lee Health is the dominant healthcare employer, and Southwest Florida International Airport supports tourism. Rebuilding after Hurricane Ian has spurred new construction built to current codes, and rooftops are arriving faster than shopping, service, and storage space, creating room for new commercial supply.
Tallahassee
Tallahassee has about 204,902 residents and a stable base of state government jobs, Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. Governor’s Square Mall and the surrounding retail corridors serve the region. Zillow’s August 2026 data lists Tallahassee among the few Florida metros where home values were still rising year over year, while the statewide figure slipped about 1.5 percent. Steady public-sector and student demand makes it a lower-volatility market for medical office, student-oriented retail, and neighborhood commercial projects.
Lakeland
Lakeland held about 124,990 residents in 2024, and the Lakeland–Winter Haven metro, near 875,000, grew roughly 20.7 percent from 2020 to 2025, the fastest pace among Florida’s largest metros. Publix Super Markets is headquartered here, the I-4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando places the area within reach of both, and Legoland Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and Lakeland Regional Health add further demand. Distribution centers and flex industrial are the standout opportunity, along with grocery-anchored retail serving new subdivisions.
Population figures are the latest Census Bureau or Florida EDR estimates (2024-2025). Zillow values are the Zillow Home Value Index as of mid-2026 and change monthly. Employers and centers are named for market context only and do not imply any relationship with them.
We fund projects all over Florida. If your city is not listed, call us or submit your application and we will confirm.
How it works
Get your Florida commercial loan in three steps
Send the project details
Share the location, property type, plans, total budget, and whether you plan to sell, lease, or hold.
Receive a same-day term sheet
We review cost, expected value, and your experience, then return clear terms with minimal paperwork.
Close and start drawing
We close, fund your first draw, and release later draws promptly as each stage passes inspection.
Requirements
Florida commercial loan requirements
| Equity | As little as 15-20% of total project cost, depending on experience and the project |
| Credit | 640+ FICO typical; deal-first, with exceptions considered |
| Income documents | Streamlined and asset-based; personal income is not the main driver |
| Plans & permits | Approved plans and county permits (or in process), Florida Building Code compliance, wind and flood documentation where applicable |
| Vesting | Individual, LLC, or development entity · foreign nationals eligible |
| Exit | Sale on completion, or refinance into a long-term loan |
Answers
Florida commercial real estate loan FAQ
What is a Florida commercial real estate loan?
A Florida commercial real estate loan finances income-producing or business-use property such as retail centers, office and medical buildings, industrial and flex space, and mixed-use projects. Instead of leaning on personal income, we look at the property, its cost or value, its projected or actual rents, and your plan for it. Funding can cover a purchase, a refinance, bridge capital, or a ground-up build, and we lend in all 67 Florida counties.
How much can I borrow for ground-up commercial construction?
Construction loans run from $100,000 to $100,000,000. Leverage reaches up to 85 percent of total project cost and up to 75 percent of the completed value, and we size the loan to whichever measure is more conservative. Pricing starts at 9.5 percent on an interest-only term of 12 to 24 months.
Do you lend on projects in flood zones and hurricane-prone areas?
Yes. Coastal and flood-zone sites are routine for Florida lenders, and we underwrite them with that in mind. We review flood designation, base flood elevation, and elevation certificates, along with Florida Building Code wind-load requirements and the stricter High-Velocity Hurricane Zone standards that apply in Miami-Dade and Broward. Your design team will normally already be building to these standards; we simply need the documentation in your file.
How do construction draws work?
You receive an initial draw at closing to start work, then request additional draws as each phase, such as site work, foundation, structure, and interior build-out, is finished. We inspect the completed work before releasing funds and typically turn draws around in about three to five days. Because interest accrues only on money already drawn, carrying costs stay lower early in the project.
Can I buy land and build in a single loan?
Yes. Our land-plus-construction structure can fund the lot purchase and the vertical build together in one transaction. If you already own the land, its value generally counts toward your required equity in the project.
What happens when the building is finished?
After the certificate of occupancy, you can sell the property and repay the loan from proceeds, refinance into a long-term commercial loan, or convert automatically if you chose a one-time-close structure. Many investors lease up the building first so the long-term lender underwrites a stabilized income stream.
Do you finance projects in cities that are not listed on this page?
Yes. The cities above are a sample of Florida’s most active commercial markets, not a limit. If your project is somewhere else in the state, call us or submit an application and we will confirm the details.
Keep exploring
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© 2026 CambridgeHomeLoan.com · NMLS #1826020 · 4830 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609 · (800) 826-5077 · Equal Housing Lender. Commercial real estate and construction loans are business-purpose loans and are not available for primary residences. Rates, points, loan-to-cost, loan-to-value, terms, draw schedules, and closing timelines are illustrative, subject to change without notice, and subject to borrower, property, and project qualification and underwriting approval. “Rates from 9.5%,” “up to 85% loan-to-cost,” and other maximums reflect the strongest profiles and are not a quote or commitment to lend. Completed values are estimates confirmed by appraisal. Calculator results are illustrative and exclude permits, impact fees, insurance, reserves, and closing costs. Population and housing figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research, and Zillow, are approximate, and may have changed. Employer and shopping-center names are used only to describe local markets and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. City descriptions are general observations, not property-specific or investment advice. Comparison figures are generic composites and do not describe any specific lender. Illustrations are artwork and do not depict specific properties. Borrowers must confirm Florida Building Code, wind mitigation, flood zone, zoning, and permitting requirements with licensed professionals. This page is informational and is not financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.